Dry Ice

Is it really safe to use the food grade dry ice to make the soft serve ice cream as it comes in direct contact with the ice cream base? The company that was going to sell me the dry ice said that I could use that way but they just can't recommend it. Thanks.

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fisher23

I have done it many times and it is perfectly safe if done correctly. You have to break it up in small chunks with a hammer and then turn that into a powder, blender or food processor. Then as you add it to your ice cream base in the mixer one spoon full at a time it will freeze the base very quickly. The dry ice sublimates (evaporates) almost on contact with the ice cream base. If there is any dry ice (carbon dioxide) vapor coming off the ice cream just give it a couple of minutes to completely sublimate, or put it in the freezer to ripen. I have never had an issue. I don't add any more dry ice after it initially gets frozen and I always have dry ice that I didn't need to use. I hope this helps. The other option is to use liquid nitrogen. My source here will fill a one quart stainless steel thermos (with a hole drilled in the top to allow the pressure to escape) for $3.00. Cheaper and works quicker, I go that route if I remember to get the LN2. Or I just go to the grocery store and buy dry ice, unfortunately when I buy dry ice I have to buy a whole bag, usually about 8 pounds and I only need one or two.

maxkapelus

@John_Fisher_218893 where do you go for food grade dry ice. For the liquid nitrogen, where do you get the thermos that your source fills up?

John_Millin_418427

Thanks John Fisher. The company that I'm looking at buying the dry ice from said they would crush it for me so that I don't have to do it myself. Will crushed dry ice work for the recipe?

FrankM_3301

I agree with @John Fisher. No problems with dry ice purchased at grocery, other than price. I usually break into small pieces by dropping the bag on my garage floor, then creating a powder by whizzing the chunks in the blender. @John Millin , a powder is best in the recipe. As with John F., I usually have to buy it in a much larger chunk than I need, so its fun and effective, but not economical. I don't have an LN source, but DO NOT TRANSPORT IN A THERMOS. I see that John has a hole drilled for ventilation. Without that, you literally create a bomb. No offense to John (sounds like he is being very careful), but if you are thinking LN, and have a source, get a dewar and transport safely.

Brandon_Byrd_40557

Dry ice retail locator:
http://dryiceideas.com/retail-locator/

HammeredChef_DEFINITELY_does_NOT_work_at_22134

What area do you live in...i'ts not in your profile so it's hard to help..

fisher23

I only know of 1 type of dry ice, pure clean dry ice is food grade. Most welding supply companies supply LN2 (and dry ice for that matter) to doctors and hospitals for medical use and that is where I get mine. For the thermos, they recommended a Stanley stainless steal with an 1/8" whole drilled in both the outer and inner lids. I brought in a thermos brand 40 oz stainless steel thermos with the 1/8" whole drilled in both the lids and they have no problem filling it. But as FrankM said it is not something to play around with, it must be vented or you can have a major problem. I also am a welder and that may be why they have no problem selling me LN2, Just give then a call.... Oxarc or Norco are the ones in my area.

maxkapelus

Thanks Brandon

maxkapelus

Thanks for the help John, really great information!

fisher23

Hi John, you really want fine powder not just crushed. I would suggest putting the crushed in a blender a little at a time and do it in batches. You want it the fineness of sand or snow!

John_Millin_418427

So I could do it in my vitamix? How can I handle it safely when transporting it from the bag to the blender? Are there any thick gloves that are made for handling dry ice? I know silly question but who knows. I found a place near me that would sell me dry ice by the pound and if I can do it in my vitamix I'll just go that route instead of having to buy so much and not use it. Thanks for the help.